This book catches the out-of-time feeing of a proper summer days at the beach—salt and sea, treasures under the pillow, and off to sleep in 50 perfectly chosen words.
Good Night, Good Beach
An evocative bedtime picture book that distils the essence of a family summer at the beach.
The international edition of At the Bach.
Summer holidays by the sea have a rhythm all their own. With a few resonant images Cowley takes us straight to the end of a long hot day with beach treasures under the pillow and the salty smell of the sea. The cadence of the final words echoes the shushing waves in a gentle signal of time for readers to sleep—“good day, good sea, good sand, good night”.
This simple poem by internationally renowned Joy Cowley transports the reader to a childhood summer with language that asks to be read over and over. Hilary Jean Tapper’s warm watercolor and ink illustrations add an inclusive cast of extended family, friends and children of different ages.
This edition is only for sale outside New Zealand, from your local bookstore or online retailer.
-
Book Details
Country of Origin New Zealand Reader Age 2-5 year Book Size ISBN
-
Reviews
-
Reviews
-
This is a wonderful example of how illustrations and text can come together to create a beautiful picture book that rewards rereading. The book follows a family at the seaside as they enjoy a simple day of sunshine, sea, sand and hunting for beach treasures. The watercolour and ink illustrations, reminiscent of Shirley Hughes, are classic and full of detail, and instantly evoke childhood trips to the beach. The melodic language also takes you straight to the beach–‘waves hush-hushing on the shore’–and the rhythm carries the reader along with the children as they experience day through all the sense. The illustrations and text provide many talking points for adults and young readers to share, making this a book that would make a great classroom read, or a peaceful bedtime book. A great contrast to some of the louder picture books out there!
-
A simple and evocative picture book with rhyming text about a day of holiday by the sea, by an award-winning New Zealand author and illustrator team. Perfect as a bedtime story.
-
This is an evocative and beautiful bedtime picture book that distils the essence of summer at the beach—creaky old bed, sandy feet, waves hush-hushing and a shell under the pillow.
Joy Cowley is one of New Zealand’s best-loved writers for children and adults, with an international reputation. Shorlisted for the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 2018, she has won a multitude of awards and honours. Hilary Jean Tapper is an illustrator and creative arts therapist. -
Perfect days at the beach, perfectly encapsulated in a picture book … The watercolour illustrations are bathed in the warm hues of summer, the group of five little friends immediately familiar in their stance and movements, while Joy Cowley’s text is very special, a fifty word poem, each short line perfect in its simplicity.
-
A simple but powerful book that captures the joy of childhood and is a story families will treasure.
-
Joy’s simple text reverberates with both visual imagery and lyrical language and fully evokes the kind of simple beachside experience that for many is an unknown quantity. And the illustrations, from Hilary Jean Tapper, are absolutely gorgeous. They are without a word of exaggeration, a perfect match for this exquisite poem.
-
Available worldwide from your local bookstore or online.
Subscribe to our newsletter/s
Hear from us about new books, guest recommendations, behind-the-scenes and competitions.
Achuka Book of the Day –
A perfect ‘bedtime story’ picture book for summer nights. With very few words but much to look at and savour in the water-colour and ink illustrations, this is a book to repeat night after night until the young child being read to is able to join in from memory.